KZN gravity riders deliver thrilling action in combined format racing

A scorching hot day greeted the thrill-seeking, extreme-inclined mountain bike riders who ventured into the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands for the opening round of the 2017 KZNMTB PROVINCIAL GRAVITY SERIES at St. Ives on Sunday 12 February.

Local rider Kelvin Purchase enjoyed the flowing trails in the Enduro race at the opening round of the 2017 KZNMTB PROVINCIAL GRAVITY SERIES at St. Ives in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Sunday 12 February.

The thermometer soared as the day progressed in a nestled away section of St. Ives’ property; a section that kept the spectators very close to some of the racing action. KZN riders and spectators alike welcomed the large Gauteng contingent that could not pass up the opportunity to tackle KZN’s green hillsides for some gravity-induced riding! A large entry field had gathered for the opening round, with over 130 for the Enduro competition and over 70 in the Downhill starting blocks.

It was to be the first time that the two “gravity” disciplines were to be held on the same day, a format that will be tweaked as the series progresses. No minute was spared between the two events as officials and riders maximised their time throughout the day.

Because of the tight schedule, Enduro competitors were afforded the opportunity to make use of the uplift vehicle once only during the four-stage event; normally riders have to make their own way to the stage starts during the untimed liaison.

14-year-old Sabine Thies threw down the gauntlet to a much larger women’s field that participated in the Enduro and Downhill races to claim both prizes at the opening round of the 2017 KZNMTB PROVINCIAL GRAVITY SERIES at St. Ives in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Sunday 12 February.

Overall Men’s winner in the Enduro race was Tiaan Odendaal, who managed to ward off an eager Craig Paul to hold the overall winning time after four stages by 21 seconds. “I really enjoyed it – the tracks are fun,” said Odendaal. “St. Ives is such a great place to ride, and it is a fantastic venue because you can see the tracks on the hillside and all the stages finish close together, yet they utilise a lot of the property for the trails. It is especially great for the spectators and family.”

14-year-old Sabine Thies threw down the gauntlet to a much larger women’s field that participated in the Enduro race. Thies’ overall time of 16 minutes 43 seconds after four stages was 10 seconds faster than Charne Dreyer, also competing in the Youth category, while the remaining podium places clocked over the 17-minute mark.

“The Enduro went well. I took it easy so I thought I was slow because I didn't want to crash for the downhill,” she said. Thies also clocked the fastest descent in the women’s class for the Downhill race. “That was a really good run. I got the fastest time on the first run so I’m pretty happy with that.”

The larger-than-normal field of women didn’t deter Thies. “I have raced against these women before so I knew what to expect,” she said.

Shortly after the Enduro, those competing in the Downhill class made their way to the start at the top of the hill. In a race where the best run of two counted, an eminent storm was brewing which eventually put paid to many of the riders’ second timed run, which meant that only their first runs counted.

Christopher Philogene, who has made the leap from the Junior class to Elite this year, took the top honours in the Downhill race. “I knew that I had to put everything together in the first run because I could see the weather forecast and that the rain was on its way,” he said. “Everything had to go into that first run and I think the other riders realised that as well. The race run was good and I wouldn’t have changed much if I’d had the chance in a second run.”

Dorette Crous took full advantage of the new event format when she entered both the Enduro and Downhill races at the opening round of the 2017 KZNMTB PROVINCIAL GRAVITY SERIES at St. Ives in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Sunday 12 February.

Ex-local and now visiting rider Nikki Alvin netted a third place overall in the women’s race. “It was an awesome track and I absolutely loved it!” she said. “It’s a really great course for girls because we can hit all the jumps whereas some of the other tracks are a little big for us.”

Alvin travelled from Gauteng with friends for the races– some new to the sport. “They are definitely into it now – the bug has bitten,” she said. “I didn't expect to finish where I did on my first run (in second place) and then I think there was too much pressure on me so I messed that up a bit on my second run,” she laughs. “But Kath (Fourie) and Beani are absolutely awesome and it’s great to be up there with them. I will definitely be at the next event at Giba.”

KZNMTB’s Gravity Commissioner Marc Philogene said that the new format worked well on the day. “Our whole aim was to unite the two groups, and I think we achieved that. They are both gravity sports and there is a lot of crossover and a big percentage crossed over. We need to tweak the format for future events – we will look at each event as a whole as there will be challenges at different venues.”

The second round of the 2017 KZNMTB PROVINCIAL GRAVITY SERIES takes place at Giba Gorge MTB Park on Sunday 26 March.

Christopher Philogene, who has made the leap from the Junior class to Elite this year, took the top honours in the Downhill race at the opening round of the 2017 KZNMTB PROVINCIAL GRAVITY SERIES at St. Ives in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Sunday 12 February. He is flanked by (on left): Cullen McMaster, Tiaan Odendaal and on right: Jonathan Philogene and Struan McMaster.